the textured still - a tutorial

mouse over to see the before image

It's no secret I'm a 'texture-addict'. I love adding texture to my photos.... It's such a fabulous creative process!

Today I thought I'd share a little before and after....along with a photoshop texture tutorial.  

Here's the two textures I used to create the finished image. They are part of The Studio Collection.

                                 Flourish                                                                   Empty Page                            

I process my images in Photoshop CS5. You can also use Photoshop Elements 9, as well as earlier versions of both programs. Another option for adding textures to your images, is the free online program Picnik.

Here's today's still life photoshop recipe.

Layer 1 - Lilac still image

Layer 2 - Empty Page Texture at Soft Light 100% opacity

Layer 3 - Flourish Texture at Soft Light 100% opacity. (I love the added detail this texture created in the top left of the photo.)

Layer 4 - Created a new blank layer. Choose a soft round black brush at 50% opacity and brushed over the image to add a little depth. Changed the blend mode to soft light.  This is a non-destructive 'burn' technique'.

Check out a little video tutorial, if you like.

Okay, if that meant absolutely nothing to you.... photoshop and you are not best friends... or perhaps you are complete strangers.... that's okay too. It's easier than you'd think!

Here's a link to my 'textures in ten' tutorial..... It will give you some quick and painless texture basics to get started... And get this... adobe let's you download a 30 day trial of photoshop CS or Elements for FREE.  So really, you have nothing to lose. 

If you would like to give the whole texture thing a try, be sure to sign up for my mailing list at the Café, and get a nice bundle of freebie textures to get you started. :)

In honor of all things photoshop, I'd like to give away a spot in my Photoshop Essentials eCourse. It starts on June 21st. It will get you comfy with the program and well on your way to making pretty pictures. 

To enter, share a link to a fav textured photo...it can be yours or one you admire. Winner will be chosen at random, and announced at the bottom of this post Saturday (June 11th) before noon. 

Good luck my friends.... 

Update on Saturday, June 11, 2011 by Kim Klassen

**CONGRATULATIONS Cathy Bueti! You are the lucky Essentials eCourse winner! Thank you to all those who entered!

Comments

[Robin T]

I have been stalking your site and am on your email list for some time now however I do not have photoshop currently - can you or anyone point me to a tutorial of how to use textures in Picnik or GIMP? pretty pretty please??? :-) Thank you for your generosity Kim! Your textures are fabulous!

[Chantal]

GHreat tutorial video, I linked it on Facebook, that is how enthousiastic I am

[urban muser]

i am really new at photoshop elements and textures but here goes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52504401@N03/5776039309/
kim, your work is inspiring, thank you!

[starrlife]

I wish I could get photoshop but they when I tried to download the free trial they said I needed more memory.Sigh.
Love the textures. But oddly I really love the original too. There is something about the raw photo images that I adore.

[kerin rose]

Hi Kim,
I am a big picnik'er...I use matte and vignette a lot ..where are there textures of this nature to overlay?....

thanks

[Deanna Jinjoe]

Kim's textures are so fab :) I use them all the time. Here is one of my favorite posts using her textures.

http://anewdayadifferentway.blogspot.com/2011/04/texture-tuesday-at-cafe.html

[Erika]

I have been loving playing with textures thanks to Kim and all her inspiration and help.

Here is a favorite that I have done: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gashuttergirl/5659724082/

Here is a favorite from the last Texture Tuesday link-up: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41017515@N06/5811978756/

Thanks for all you do Kim!

[autumn sun]

Kim has great textures and is so kind to share them with us along with instruction,
here's one i did a while back
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/5500181912/

[Denise Balyoz]

just stunning my friend...AND you inspired me to get back to play with a texture floral image (on flickr!) Happy weekend...xxo

[Anna]

Kim, what a gorgeous image!!! One of your best. It's about time I try this texture thing!

[Just Jenn]

Kim, I love the Flourish texture so much! Maybe it will become a freebie soon..... Here is my first attempt at texture. Yes, you have seen it before, but I love it! http://justjen68.blogspot.com/2011/01/learning-thoughts.html

[Mae Folk]

Wow, so lovely!! I have admired your work for years Kim!! I have been in a creative rut for a while now, you might just be the inspiration I needed :-)

Thank you for sharing!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/maebeitsme/4312718845/

[Kate D]

You're such a generous soul! And an amazing teacher! If anyone hasn't had a chance to take Kim's classes/workshops don't hesitate any longer - it is totally worth it!

[Harrisburg Photographer]

Thank for you so much for this!

[Kara S]

Thanks for your tutorials and free textures! I enjoy being on you mailing list.

Here is one of the first textured images I ever did.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bR8V9Zf6FaOd93SajjX6CjploSNSdYmZCf5tsc1YoNQ?feat=directlink

[Kimberly]

I've never played around with textures...here is a photo that makes me want to learn:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nwp2011/5575347840/in/set-72157626272439351

[DebC]

Textures "encourage" my love of old, grainy, damaged photos,
so I have a heavy hand with textures as seen on my blog's tab "Altered Photos"
http://simplify-daily-life.blogspot.com/p/textured-photos.html
I've just joined Kim Klassen Cafe, so there is always more to do and more to learn!
The word "subtle" may be in my future.
There are some beautiful photos in the comment links.
Thank you.

[Kathy]

I just posted a textured still life to flickr yesterday:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sightspecific/5815812387/

Love using them and I'm looking forward to some freebies from you, Kim. Thanks

[Valerie]

Thanks so much! I'm inspired!

[maureen @ Cottage 960]

I love that I always learn something new from you.
thanks Kim
xo
maureen
I used your Vintage overlay on this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22377101@N04/5814532343/in/photostream/

[Cathy Bueti]

Thanks for the chance to win! Kim, your textures in ten is what got me started on this amazing texture journey!! Here is one of my favorite textured images that I did myself . . . .http://artsybutterfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/texture-tuesday_26.html

[rowena]

I love, LOVE your textures! You are so generous. Thank you for a chance at your giveway.

[Tracy P.]

Kim, this is absolutely lovely, and I would be thrilled to win the photoshop essentials course. After I found you at Becky's interview with you last week, I did the "Textures in Ten". I was amazed! <a href="http://tracypphotoaday.blogspot.com/2011/06/158365-giving-credit-where-credit-is.html">Here</a> is my resulting textured photo. Thank you so much for your kindness!

[Tracy P.]

Aahh, didn't read the notice below. Here is the url: http://tracypphotoaday.blogspot.com/2011/06/158365-giving-credit-where-credit-is.html

[Ania]

so beautiful Kim! You know what a huge fan of your textures I'm, use them all the time :) I even have one example with lilacs http://www.flickr.com/photos/mytidbits/5705692837/in/set-72157624924225120 :)
Kim you are such a genreous teacher and If anyone wants to learn about applying textures AND photoshop, I highly recomend Kim's classes! xxoo

[Elaine]

I took the Skinny-mini and Essentials eCoures earlier this year and I can't believe how much I learned!!! But in every video Kim creates, I always learn something new~~this time it's bringing out detail by brushing over the area on a new layer. I'm a KK devotee :~)

[pthurmond1]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Kim's freebies!! I can't wait to get them each week. Here is my attempt.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50901045@N02/5818903721/in/photostream

[Corinne Marie]

Beautiful!!

[Corinne Marie]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mscorinnemarie55/5813434115/in/photostream

[Susperia-Electrica [Nick]]

Always luvin your textures Kim.:) And your still life studio shots are just FAB!! Oh, before I forget....Thanks' for you free textures....can't wait till Tuesday gets here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/susperia-electrica/5818062598/in/photostream

[Cheryl B]

Kim's textures make my photos sing! Thank you, Kim.

http://flic.kr/p/9Sg5SW

[anita]

Your textures are fantastic. Thanks Kim!

[Carolyn S]

I really like the effect you obtain with your textures and "soft light." I used one of your textures for a recent piece on my blog for SPOT PRIZE at Dezinaworld. You can view it on my blog. It is a thistle floral piece.

http://csummersdigital.blogspot.com

[Sheila R]

Just love Kim's textures! Here is one of my favorite texture photos I recently did:

http://blessedanddistressed.blogspot.com/2011/05/texture-tuesday-garden.html

Thanks for the chance for this wonderful giveaway

[Becky]

Just joining in to learn more and more with Kim's textures. Thanks for opportunity to enter giveaway. :)

[SLucy]

This is one of my favourites using textures from Kim Klassen of course lol
http://creativeskyyphotographydesign.blogspot.com/2011/06/wonder-how-wednesday.html
hypersky5 at hotmail dot com

[Julie]

Thanks for the chance to enter the giveaway.. I'm fairly obsessed with all things photoshop and when I can love joining in on Kim's texture tuesday using her fab creations...

Here is a link to one of my favourites.. . Thanks again and have a great weekend. ciao xx Julie
http://beingruby.blogspot.com/2011/05/mamma-magic-teapot.html

[Sue W]

this is the first time I have really played with texture although I have collected lots of Kim's textures. http://soonymary.blogspot.com/2011/06/using-textures-on-photos.html

[Laurie M]

OhOhOh! I would LOVE to win!!! Heres my photo using one of Kims Freebe Textures
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47524935@N05/
lauriescharmingdesigns.blogspot.com

[Tiffany in Topeka]

I could sure use help with textures... I have started playing around with it, but I'm still new to my Photoshop Elements...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51181755@N02/5819858786/in/photostream

[Sandi Terry]

Here is a piece that I made after taking your Textures In Ten course. I used three textures on this one. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us. Also took your Skinny Mini course and learned so much! I'd love to take the Essentials class too!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugarbushfarm/5748290593/in/photostream

Sandi Terry

[p90x]

http://www.p90xdvdorder.com

[karen]

I love the great techniques you've shared with all of us. It has been so rewarding following you and learning along the way.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29219061@N02/5788374981/in/photostream

[Barb]

Thank you for the chance to win!

http://keepingupwiththetimes.blogspot.com/2011/05/spring-is-bursting-out.html

[Karen White]

Here's a link to a recent favourite http://www.flickr.com/photos/finlap/5817698842/

Thanks Kim, for all your generosity. You have a kind heart.

[Becky U]

http://noteveryonehasfilm.blogspot.com/2011/06/few-pretty-flowers.html

Thanks for the chance to win Kim!

[Nikki]

Thanks for another great tutorial Kim. Here's one of my favourite pictures using your texture - Subtly Yours.

http://butterflyrosedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/06/texture-tuesday-word-edition.html

Nikki

[Marcie]

Here's one of mine:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2011/6/10/june-brides.html

[diginan]

Thank you so much for this, love what Kim creates:)

[Rhonda Brown]

Here is one of my favorites, using your textures.
Thanks for being so inspiring, Kim.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rmbrown/5592641542/in/photostream